Basic Ingredients Gloucestershire’ s Forest of Dean provides the historical hillside setting for this new cook school (opened June 2011) at the Hart’s Barn Rural Enterprise Centre. Boasting a calendar as fruitful as the surroundings, the school averages around a course a day. These never cost more than £90 (two-day student survival course) with specialist classes in artisan bread-making, chocolate, macaroons, pasta and preserves priced at approximately £40 – £50. Guests often pop in to host a masterclass, such as regular contributor Lindy Wildsmith from Blaenavon’s the Chef’s Room, while other bespoke corporate events and community cook parties for both adults (Forage and Cook) and children (Pop and Corn) run regularly. The school even runs it’s own monthly farmers’ market.

They say The Forest of Dean’s premier Cookery School is proud to offer cooking for all, from basics to banquets.

We say This is a really dynamic and inventive school with a terrific range of classes for all ages. For a regular taster drop into the school between 10am – 12pm on a Tuesday and join in their Cook Club. It promises to be an informal meeting of culinary minds with some demos and occasionally a bit of hands-on cookery. No subscription required, just pay £10 on the day. For those looking to make a weekend of it, there are ample affordable accommodation options in the Forest of Dean.

2 comments about Harts Barn Cookery School

I am writing in support of the Harts Barn Cookery School highlighting their involvement in their local community.I am the Managing Director of the Forest Education Business Partnership, a “not for profit” organisation that works with schools and businesses to support young people in developing work skills.Harts Barn Cookery School has provide us with great support especially considering that they are such a new business. Most recently they where one of our main partners in the Forest Means Business Project. This project involved five local secondary school, seven businesses and over 200 students. The business provided “real” business challenges for the students to compete in competition with each other. Enabling them to develop both vocational and business skills.
Harts Barn Cookery School provided a challenge, facilities, time and prizes in what was the best supported of all the challenges involving over 100 students. Their contribution far exceeded our expectation of them and was acclaimed by both the students and teachers alike.I am also aware through my contacts with the schools, that they work closely with a number of their local schools supporting teachers and students alike.The development of these links are essential if we are to ensure that schools are able to deliver work ready students.The cookery school has defiantly proved their intention of making, supporting their community, a key objective of their business.

From Dene Magna Secondary School in support of Harts Barn Cookery School Award Entry:

Here are a few of the very positive responses from parents and students and
obviously staff:

“Ollie thought it was a brilliant enrichment he enjoyed everything he cooked
and feels he has skills that will help him when he`s older”

Megan`s dad was really pleased with everything Megan cooked, she was
excited to show him when he picked her up, he felt she gained confidence in
herself because she was so successful in everything she made.

Andrew and George both enjoyed the enrichment especially Andrew who came
every week in his chefs uniform, so keen to learn from you.

The older students from earlier in the year enjoyed the chocolate making.

I would like to thank you for your patience especially with the yr7
students, you always made it interesting, the students made a variety of
foods from around the world, they experimented with flavours, tastes, and
smells that were often new to them . Your explanation was always clear and
concise for the students to follow.